Some Differences That Can Be The Difference

August 8, 2025

Hi Reader

Last week's different format was really well received, so we'll follow a similar path this week.

Again, I've been looking through my own journals and notes to see what issues keep coming up for the people I work with.

You know, the type of persistent and recurring events or scenarios that leave you frustrated and thinking "It just happened again".

And when I look at the times it happens me, I find that the recurring theme is that I revert to treating symptoms as opposed to addressing root cause.

This weeks collection of posts and videos serve as a 'nudge' in the right direction - take the messages in the fullest context and then see how they apply to pressing and demanding situations that you find cropping up time and again.

Enough talking, let's move into search and solve mode.......

A Weakness you don't even notice.....

Talent Development or Developing Talent?

As a leader in sport or business people development is part of your role.

Some call it Talent Development....but it's more than that, isn't it?

Experience tells me that Developing Talent is a far broader and holistic endeavour.

When you're not facilitating the development of people how can they know if they are directionally correct in their pursuits? Or if they are standing still?

Without a focus on people's development you can sink….your role & future could be in jeopardy.

So, when it comes to people and developing their talent(s) maybe you’re asking the wrong question?

We all tend to ask and assess "how talented are they?"....but I feel that's a narrow worldview.

What if you start to ask "how are they talented?"

It's a simple reframe that will help you begin to understand the nuances of each persons individual talent and set about maxing out that potential.

Talent is everywhere around you….its a matter of expanding your field of vision and crafting an environment of ecosystems to give it permission to flourish

How could chasing a 'Win' could be holding you back?

What was that?

What's the cheapest thing you can do as a leader?

You can listen more and listen better.

I can practically guarantee that everyone you lead wants to be seen, heard and understood.

The best way to achieve this is to invite them to speak and then listen intently.

Hear what is being said and what is not being said; and this is especially vital if you are working in a culture that is not native to you i.e. some cultures use their language in words in a fashion that is more on the 'low context' of the language spectrum e.g. USA, UK, Ireland, whereas others e.g. Asia, are more high context.

Regardless, listening is a clever vehicle to engage people emotionally as it will offer the opportunity for you to gain clarity by sense-checking what you've just heard e.g. "If I understand you correctly, it sounds like you think.......". Not only does this display that you've been listening intently and taking mental notes but that you also respect this interaction enough to want to get your comprehension exactly right.

And that's a primary difference between behaving as an 'expert leader 'or leading as a 'wisdom leader'.

As a great listener you move beyond being an expert who acts as an information delivery medium. Instead, your wisdom-led approach means you act as a connector.

And connection gives people the confidence of conviction.

How are you?

How are you feeling right now?

Simple question and I just want you to give yourself a score-out-of-10.

Most of you will score yourself in the 5-6 range.....if I asked you to out that into words it would be "I'm not bad", "I'm doing ok", "Alright" or some variant on those.

Is that good enough as a leader?

The people you lead want and need the best version of you....but you can only give what you've got. And if, like the majority of the people I work with, you score 5-6 out of 10 then that is all you can possibly give i.e.50-60% of your potential.

Now, what if that is your 'normal'?? Then you are all potential and just average performance.

If you're to bring and give the best of you then you've got to focus on the 'leader athlete' as I call it.

Yes, it's a simplification but when you begin to think of yourself as a high-performance athlete then you begin to understand that consistently high performance is grounded in self-case.

Self-care then is all about renewal and restoration.

And like any athlete, how you show up to perform is, in truth, 100% your responsibility.

Check your 5S Leader Athlete Performance Factors - Stress, Sleep, Staying Active, Sustenance and Self-Talk. They're your performance force multipliers.

You can only give what you've got. When it comes to how you prepare to show up then you HAVE TO come first. It's responsibly selfish.

My Lesson to Learn: Let Them Be Their Change

I had to admit it; people leaning on me and depending on me for guidance was addictive.

And that meant I was keeping people 'on the leash', so to speak, for a lot longer than I needed to.

Yes, when it comes to coaching in 1-1 and small-group situations then a length of tenure is required to develop a relationship and build trust.

But there's a sweet spot that I learned about.

A point where I had to begin to sow autonomy. A point where I realised that to do my job correctly I had to realise when it was time to nurture performance autonomy in these men and women.

At its most simple it's the subtle art of weaning them off leaning too heavy on me and helping them awaken their inner performer who, at an appropriate time, can fly high by themselves.

It's simple, but not easy. But when you vitalise their PQ (Performance Quotient....quite simply their ability to access they ability) then you also breathe life into responsibility and accountability.

You also help them understand that leadership is iterative; everything you do today is about being better tomorrow.

All I was/am there for is to help get them back on track and being directionally correct.

I had to realise that I'm simply someone they meet at a point along the road to help them navigate a tricky bit. I know the route and terrain of this leg....the rest of the journey needs to be for them.

Another Newsletter you might find useful....

Performance Coach

Empowering Leaders. Inspiring Excellence.

"I believe everyone needs a coach, and I believe a great coach can change your life." Robbie Britt is that catalyst for countless leaders and teams. By day, he serves as Head Baseball Coach at Eastern Michigan, building a culture of discipline, resilience, and excellence. Beyond the field, he is a devoted husband and father. In boardrooms, locker rooms, and classrooms, Robbie challenges people to confront their limits, sharpen their systems, and elevate their impact. His mission is simple: create environments where leaders grow their people, and inspire teams to relentlessly pursue excellence every single day.